A Family Feud

"But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too, but if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses.: Mark 11:25-26 (TLB)

Rhonda Thomas, from Maryland, inherited a family feud that had been going on for over 50 years. It was a battle over land, passed down from generation to generation. It's called "Heir property," and it can be messy when everyone wants the same lot. During court preparations, Rhonda received a court document that upset her to the point of anger.

Rhonda wanted to retaliate with words of her own. Her mind was racing with all she wanted to say. Anger is not a fruit of the Spirit, and Rhonda needed a listening ear. She called a friend and explained the situation. Honestly, Rhonda wanted to hear her friend say, "She did what?" thus adding fuel to her fire. But instead, my spiritual sister asked, "Have you prayed for her? What's her name?" And so we prayed. What a revelation! Prayer changed Rhonda's entire focus, and she began to call out her cousin's name in her daily prayers.

As it turned out, court was avoided, and God brought a 50-year feud to an end with a compromise. Rhonda gained more than land that day; she gained a new perspective, which led her to apologize. Prayers for the people in our conflicts take our mind off the anger and hurt and put our focus on a new life in Christ for all involved.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for forgiving us. Help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us, in Jesus' name. Amen.